Megillat Esther - The Megillah in Depth, Part Forty-Nine Chapter 9, Part 5 - Verses 16-19 The Jewish People across the vast Persian Empire rose to defend themselves against their mortal enemies. The offensive against those actively plotting genocide was stunningly successful. On the morrow of fierce fighting, upon miraculous deliverance from Empire-wide enemies, the Jewish People celebrated. Yet, in Shushan, the battles lasted longer. Consequently, their delayed deliverance meant a delayed celebration. Ultimately its all comprised of the same joy. We will also then discover how walls will heretofore divide Festivities. And this is filled with deeper meaning and significance! Decoding these verses does far more than give us a better appreciation of the scope of the Divine Deliverance. It opens the door to a radically transformed perspective of the higher purpose of life itself. Rabbi Mendel Kaplan